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| Bay of Kotor |
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| Kotor Fortress |
Kotor Fortress was ever so slightly underwhelming, but you don't go there for the fortress, you go there for the hiking and for the breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor. The fortress itself was derelict and didn't look completely safe, and atop of all that looked as if it were haunted.
According to the background reading I've done, the mountain (called St. John) was first fortified in Illyrian times, but the structure for the current Kotor Fortress was laid down in the 15th century, when the city fell under Venetian rule. The fortress was severely damaged during several large earthquakes (I never knew that earthquakes were a thing here), the most recent one happening in 1979. (I thought it looked unsafe and rickety!) Wikipedia corroborates my observations:
The European Commission took interest in the fortification not only for its obvious cultural significance but also to maintain and develop it as a resource for tourism, a major part of the local economy. It found the fortifications in poor condition. They had been abandoned since the departure of the Austrians in 1918. Lack of maintenance, erosion, earthquakes, and vegetation have contributed to its ongoing deterioration.[3] It is proposed to restore the ramparts of the hillside and the city; this would also allow access by tourists. Further it is suggested to repair towers and sightseeing points, footpaths and accessory buildings to repair the fortification complex and harness its economic potential.[3] In May 2018 no start has been made on any of the works, and the site is clearly in urgent need of attention and restoration. (source)
And now onto pictures.
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| The parts that looked haunted |
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